Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
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Texaco Great Britain

Posted by peter cook on 8/10/2025, 7:41 am

The launch of Texaco Great Britain from Swans, Wallsend on the 26th March 1971. She only lasted 10 years being broken up in Taiwan in 1981.

Re: Texaco Great Britain

Posted by Norman on 8/10/2025, 6:14 pm, in reply to "Texaco Great Britain"

Another good photo to keep the board interesting Peter. Thanks.
I googled it and it only had a life span of 10 years then it was scrapped. How was that economical?

Re: Texaco Great Britain

Posted by peter cook on 8/10/2025, 7:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Texaco Great Britain"

She had trouble with both of her turbines and it was decided that it was more economical to scrap it than to fix it.

Re: Texaco Great Britain

Posted by David Henley on 8/10/2025, 9:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Texaco Great Britain"

The standard of construction on the tankers built on tynecwas not great. Quality control and welding were not great. Contrast that with the Illustrous and the Ark Royal.
Any other who worked in the big yard may disagree but I was a swans apprentice in 70s and worked on those as boy apprentice and trade man.

Re: Texaco Great Britain

Posted by Joseph on 8/10/2025, 10:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Texaco Great Britain"

Remember reading an article about these tankers, apparently they could pay for themselves lock stock and barrel in six month all going well, whether true or not makes you think.

Re: Texaco Great Britain

Posted by Les Gibson on 10/10/2025, 1:53 am, in reply to "Re: Texaco Great Britain"

Probably true Joseph.
I sailed as a guarantee electrician on a new VLCC out of Japan in 1974, Up to the Persian Gulf, loaded 255,000 tones of Iraqi crude for France (round the Cape) too big for Suez. The cargo changed hands 3 times on the way. Back around to the gulf where I left and returned to Japan.
She cost $30 million dollars to build and paid for herself before reaching France for the first time

Re: Texaco Great Britain

Posted by Norman on 10/10/2025, 10:00 am, in reply to "Re: Texaco Great Britain"

It's amazing how the Super Tankers paid for themselves doing just one trip.

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